Hur tre rosor blev till 45 miljoner

The Evolution of the Danish Pot Rose: A True Success Story

The Danish pot rose (krukros) has become one of Denmark’s most celebrated horticultural achievements—a real-life fairy tale that began modestly and grew to monumental proportions. Today, approximately 45 million pot roses are produced annually, making it the country's most-cultivated potted plant. The journey from a handful of plants to a booming international industry highlights a compelling blend of innovation, passion, and world-class expertise.

Humble Beginnings and the First Innovations

The story started quietly in 1965 when horticulturist Svend Jensen, while leafing through a foreign catalogue, discovered three varieties of miniature roses. These small-flowered roses became the foundation for Denmark’s very first production of 10,000 pot roses in Kolding. By the end of the 1960s, production had steadily grown to 300,000 annually, despite the early varieties being challenging to cultivate.

It wasn’t until the early 1980s that Danish pot rose production truly took off. New growers entered the scene, largely thanks to international breeding companies förädlare av rosor who had developed better, more robust varieties. At the same time, advancements like artificial lighting empowered nurseries to continue production year-round—a significant shift from the earlier practice of limiting sales to the spring. Mass production techniques also drove prices down, making these beautiful roses affordable for everyone.

Leadership in Breeding and Development

A turning point came in the late 1980s, when the renowned Danish breeding company Poulsen Roser A/S, a global leader in pot and garden roses, gave the industry a qualitative and quantitative boost with their Parade® series. At this time, Gartnerierne Ove Nielsen A/S established a groundbreaking collaboration with Poulsen Roser A/S, testing and selecting the best-bred roses—an enduring partnership that has been instrumental in shaping the industry.

The scale of Denmark’s rose breeding is staggering. Every year, Poulsen Roser A/S sows around 100,000 rose seeds. Of these, 3,000 of the top selections are tested at Ove Nielsen A/S, culminating in the global marketing of up to 25 brand new pot and garden rose varieties annually. A pivotal breakthrough came in the late 1990s with the introduction of Tiffany™ Hit®: a variety boasting large, double flowers with notable fragrance and impressive longevity.

Diversity and Expert Care

Today, no other plant group in Denmark offers such diversity in size, color, blossom form, and scent—testament to decades of dedicated breeding and development efforts. The ongoing success of the Danish pot rose is due in large part to the drive and creativity of the country’s producers—many of whom are women. They possess an exceptional talent for product development and staying ahead of trends, breathing life into what is often described as a temperament-filled crop.

For guidance on caring for these vibrant plants, see Så här används och sköts krukrosorna.

Behind the Happy Ending

The Danish pot rose fairy tale continues to flourish. With about 45 million specimens produced each year, the krukros enjoys a stunning variety unrivaled in the horticultural world. This is largely the result of Denmark housing not just passionate producers, but also two of the world’s leading rose breeding companies förädlare av rosor.

Whether you’re captivated by their colors or intrigued by their innovative breeding history, Danish pot roses stand as a symbol of creativity, dedication, and horticultural excellence—an ongoing, happy saga in the world of plants.

Pot rose, Rosa-hybrid